Advocating on behalf of women veterans to create awareness of their needs 800

Total $29,000

Who do you think of when you hear the term homeless veterans? Men, right?

Women veterans are returning home in record numbers. According to the Washington Post there are "2.3 million female veterans", and this number is expected to grow. Many of these women are experiencing the same trauma experiences as men, including PTSD and MST (military sexual trauma). The National Veterans Foundation (2015) found that the results of PTSD have a difference effect based on gender.

Women veterans are more likely experience homelessness that non-military women. Women veterans are more likely to commit suicide than non-military women.

VA hospitals do not offer all of the care that is needed by women veterans, and often have to outsource to private providers.

There are very few organizations that offer safe places that is for women veterans only. Sheppard's Hands is focused on providing a safe place with a long-term goal of having a house where the women veterans can heal holistically, receive the necessary health care needed, and to provide them with job training, and to re-connect them with the families, especially the children. Sheppard's Hands is providing a safe place for women veterans, whether homeless or not to have a safe place to connect and share their experiences.

Today, it is still a process to maneuver through the VA red tape to connect to the services that can be made available to women veterans. Sheppard's Hands wants to provide a safe haven for these women as we work side by side with them to connect to long-term housing and benefits that they are entitled.

Help Sheppard's Hands to provide safe housing and programs for these women veterans who have defended the freedoms that we enjoy.

It is unacceptable that any veteran regardless of gender should have to spend one night living on the street or in a homeless shelter. Sheppard's Hands is being proactive in changing that.

Francis's Story

I served in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge several years ago. When trying to transition back into the mainstream of life I had difficulty re-connecting and went from job to job. I ended up trafficking and served time. After being released from prison, finding a permanent job was not possible. I injured my back and was finally able to begin receiving a small social security disability check. I was able to find an efficiency apartment until my daughter moved in with me became verbally abusive and stole my monthly check. The landlord evicted me and I moved to a homeless shelter. While staying there I fell and fractured my hip.

While in the hospital, Sheppard's Hands reached out to me and is working with me to find safe housing, medical care for rehabilitation, meeting my personal hygiene needs, and providing counseling.

* If you like your name will be added to the donor list on Facebook and Website to recognize your contribution to changing the lives on homeless women veterans